CA2238340A1 - Medical connector apparatus - Google Patents

Medical connector apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2238340A1
CA2238340A1 CA 2238340 CA2238340A CA2238340A1 CA 2238340 A1 CA2238340 A1 CA 2238340A1 CA 2238340 CA2238340 CA 2238340 CA 2238340 A CA2238340 A CA 2238340A CA 2238340 A1 CA2238340 A1 CA 2238340A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
cable connector
connector
housing unit
conductive
housed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2238340
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Alan Greenstein
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Agilent Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Heartstream, Inc.
Alan Greenstein
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/561,527 external-priority patent/US5967817A/en
Application filed by Heartstream, Inc., Alan Greenstein filed Critical Heartstream, Inc.
Publication of CA2238340A1 publication Critical patent/CA2238340A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

A medical connector apparatus that includes: (1) a first mating connector having a first conductive portion, (2) a second mating connector having a second conductive portion for electrically coupling to the first conductive portion, and (3) a housing unit with an interior chamber housing the second mating connector. In one embodiment of the invention, two apertures extend between the interior chamber and the housing unit's exterior. In another embodiment of the invention, the first mating connector further has a wiping portion for cleaning a portion of the second mating connector adjacent to the second conductive portion. In still another embodiment of the invention, the housing chamber further has a light source positioned near the aperture through which the first mating member enters to electrically couple the first and second conductive portions. In this embodiment, the first mating connector has a light covering portion for covering the light source when the first and second conductive portions couple. The embodiments of the medical connector apparatus described above can serve as electrode connectors for all types of defibrillators.

Description

MEDICAL CONNECTOR APPARATUS
The invention is directed towards a me-~ic~l connector a~>p~ualus.
BACKGROUND OF T~; INVENTION
Today, a~l.~xi..~t~ly three hundred and fifty thouc~n(l Americans die each year due to s cardiac arrest. Eighty percent of these fAt~liti~s are due heart allhy~ l~ia caused by ventricular fibrillation. Typically, ventricular fihrillzltion is treated by using a defibrillator to apply an electric shock to a patient's heart.
Three kinds of defibrillators are used by elll~lg~llcy m~ l personnel for applying a defibrill~ting shock to a patient sllff~rin~ from cardiac arrest. These are: (1) manual 10 defibrillators which charge and deliver shocks to patients solely in response to the user's request; (2) ~lltom~tiC defibrillators which charge and deliver shocks to patients solely in response to ECG data ct~llectecl from the patient and analyzed by the defibrillator; and (3) semi~lt~-m~tiG defibrillators which analyze a patient's ECG data to advise on the delivery of shocks, but await shock delivery requests from their users before delivering tlefihr~ ting 15 shocks.
Prior art defihrill~tQr~ are quite complex and cumbersome. Consequently, in the past, fihrill~tor~ have usually been used only by elll~,rgell-;y mt~ l personnel with considerable training. Moreover, prior art defibrillators typically produce very low survival rates, because often quite a bit of time elapses before a trained m~fliral operator (needed for applying the 20 defihrill~ting shock) reaches the victim of cardiac arrest to apply a defibrillating shock. This poor response time greatly reduces the utility of the defihrill~tin~ shock since the chances of viving a cardiac arrest exponentially decrease with time elapsed after the arrest.
Thus, in order to increase the utility of defibrillators, and thereby increase the number of lives saved, the defibrillator deployment time needs to be re-l-lre-1 The defibrillator 25 deployment time can be reduced by de~igning a defibrillator that can be used by non-m~lic~l , personnel (such as police officers, fire fighters, teachers, supervisors, or common lay people) who can quickly reach victims of cardiac arrests in order to apply defibrill:~ting shocks.
Such a defibrillator, that can be used by non-m~lic~l personnel, has to be light-weight and portable, so that it can be quickly carried to a victim of cardiac arrest. Moreover, the 30 operation of this type of defibrillzltor has to be simple so that an ine~r.orienrecl opeld~ol could SUBSrITUTE SHOET (RUL~ 26) easily use it to apply a cl-ofibri~ ting shock, even if the o~ela~or uses the equipment infrequently.
One manner of simplifying the operation of a defihrill~t r (so as to allow a non-m~tlir.:~l U~e~dl(.JI to easily use it) is to simplify the act of connPcting an electrode pad cable to s the defibrillator. A typical ~1Pfihrill~tor has (1) an energy source that provides the motive power source for delivering a clefihrill~tin~ shock; (2) an electrode connector that is housed in the defibrillator and that mates to the electrode comle-;L~3l of the electrode pad cable, and (3) a controller for ~rtll~tin~ the defihrillz~tor to deliver a defibrillation shock from the defibrillation energy source to the patient via the mated electrode cc-nnect-~rs and electrode pads.
Non-mP-lir~l personnel, who do not frequently operate defibrill~t ~rs, may experience diff1culties in connPcfin~ prior art electrode pad cables to prior art defibrillators, because these defibrill~tors do not provide sufficient guidance for rapidly establishing such connections.
Consequently, there is a need in the art for a defibrillator connector a~aldLus that provides guidance for connecting the ~l~fihrill~tor connrctor~.
Moreover, the design of this defihrill~tor connector apparatus should min;mi7P the effect of envi~ ul residue on the operation of this apparatus. Envh~,r..rl~lul residue is m~trris-l (such as blood, vomit, dirt, water, etc.) that exists in the environment in which the efihrill~tor is operated. While in storage or in standby mode, the connector aL)~aldLus of a de~lbrillator might ;-ccum~ t~ residue, which would threaten the electrical or m~ rhzlnir.~l 20 integrity of the c~ nnrctior~ during an emergency.
.Altt~rn~tively, during actual use, residue may be unavoidably introduced into the connector a~p~udtus, which would thereby result in the loss of precious time as the connectors would have to be cleaned or replaced. Consequently, there is a need in the art for a connector dJ.)~Ja~dLUS that enables residue to be easily and quickly removed from it during emel~en-;y and 2s routine m~inten~nre operations of the defibrillator. Ideally, the connector a~ .lus should clean itself when the connrctorc mate. In sum, there is a need in the art for a defibrillator connector d~al~llus that can be easily operated by non-mP-lir~l personnel under all environmPn~l conditions.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET ~RlJL~ 26) W O 97/19494 PCT~US96/18687 SUM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a m~ Rl connector a~alus that incl~ es (1) a first mating connector having a first conductive portion, (2) a second mating connector having a second conductive portion for electrically coupling to the first conductive portion, and (3) a housing 5 unit with an interior chall,b~,, housing the second mating connector. In one embodiment of the invention, two a~eltul~s extend between the interior chamber and the holl~ing unit7s exterior.
In another embodiment of the invention, the first mating col~n~ctQr further has a wiping portion for ~ ning a portion of the second mating connector adjacent to the second conductive portion.
10In still another embodiment of the invention, the housing chamber further has a light source positioned near the ~ Ul~ through which the first mating member enters toel~-ctric~lly couple the first and second conductive portions. In this embodiment, the first mating connector has a light covering portion for covering the light source when the first and second conductive portions couple. The embo-lim~nt~ of the m~ l connectQr a~aldlus 15 ~lPs-~rihe~l above can serve as electrode comle-;lor a~aldlus for all types of defibrillz-tor~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The novel features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, for purpose of explanation, several emboflim~nt of the invention are set forth in the following figures.
20Figure 1 presents one embodiment of the mto-1ic~1 connector ~ aldLus of the invontion.
Figure 2 pl~,s~.lLs a bottom side view of a cable connector of the mP-lir~l connector a~dlus of Figure 1.
Figure 2A presents a bottom side view of another cable connector of the m~
2scnnn~ctcr a~?p~dlus of Figure 1.
Figure 3 presents a perspective view of the cable connector of Figure 2 inserted in a housed unit of the m~ l connector a~dlus of Figure 1.
Figure 4 presents a back side view of the cable connector of Figure 2 inserted in a housed unit of the medical connector apparatus of Figure 1.

-SUB~TITUTE ~;HEET ~RllLE 26) WO 97/19494 PCT~US96/18687 Figure 5 presents a cross-section~l view, taken along section B-B of Figure 4, of the cable connector partially inserted in the ho~sin~ unit of Figure 1, where section B-B runs through the center of a pin of a housed cnnnPctor and a socket of the cable connector..
Figure 6 presents a cross-sectional view, taken along section A-A of Figure 4, of the ~~~ cable connector partially inserted in the housing unit of Eigure 1, where section A-A runs through a plane of syrnrnetry of the connector cable and the housing unit.
Figure 7 presents another embo~lim-ont of the mprlic~l connector dl)pdldLUS of the invention.
Figure 8 presents a cable connector of the m~di~l cf nn~ctor a~dlus of Figure 7.
o Figure 9 presents a sectional view of a housing unit and a housed connector of the m~diç~l connector a~alalus of Figure 7.
Figure 10 presents the housing unit of the mf ~ l connector a~l.alaLus of Figure 7.
Figure 11 presents a cross sectional view of a coupling belweGll a housed conductive ring and resilient contact arcs of the housed cr nn~--ctor of Figure 9.
1S DETAII,EI) OESCRIPTION OF TH~ INVENTION
In the following description, nul~wl~ u~. details are set forth for purpose of explanation.
However, one of ordinary slcill in the art would realize that the invention may be practiced without the use of these specific details. In other in~t~n-~ec, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the description of the invention with llnn~cess~l ~ detail.
The invention is a medical connector a~p~lus that includes: (1) a first mating conntoctor having a first conductive portion, (2) a second mating connector having a second conductive portion for electrically coupling to the first conductive portion, and (3) a honcin~
unit with an interior chamber housing the second mating connector. In one embodiment of the invention, two a~ellult;s extend bGlween the interior chamber and tne exterior of the housing .
unit. Through one a~e. LU1'G, tne first mating connector is inserted into the interior chamber to electrically couple the first and second conductive portions.
Moreover, the second a~GlLulG is used as an outlet for envilulullc;.ltal residue in the interior chamber. Speçific~lly, when the first mating connector is inserted through the first SUBSTITUTE S}IEET (RULE 26) WO 97/19494 PCT~US96/18687 alwlLule, ell~/ir~ t~l residue is forced out of the interior chamber through this second outlet, because of the depression force created by the insertion of the first mating connector .
In addition, the eXist~rlr,e of these two ap.,LIu~ f~rilitat~5 the cl-o~ning of the interior çhzlmher.
s In another embodiment of the invention, the first mating connector further has a wiping portion for cleaning a portion of the second mating connector ~ ctont to the second conductive portion. In turn, this cleaning enables a better connection to be established between the first and second conductive portions. This cle~ning operation also improves the insulation belweell the conductive portions or between a conductive portion and an operator, 0 by wiping away e~lviro~ -tal residue that could establish an electrical path between the conductive portions or beLweell a conductive portion and an ~ ldlol.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the housing chamber further has a light source positioned near the al)elLule through which the first mating lllGlllbel- enters to elfectrically couple the first and second conductive portions. In this embodiment, the first mating connector has a light covering portion for covering the light source when the first and second conductive portions couple. The embo(1im~nt.s of the m~-liral conn.ector a~yal~us described above can serve as electrode connectors for all types of defibrillators.
A. PIN AND SOC:K:ET EMBODIMJ~NT
Figures 1-6 set forth one embodiment of the invention, which can be used as an electrode connector a~p;~dLu~ for all types of defibrill~t-~r.~ As shown in Figure 1, medical connector ~ ~dLus 100 inr.l~ es (1) a cable connector 105 having two conductive sockets,
(2) a housed connector 110 having two conductive pins for coupling to the two conductive sockets, and (3) a housing unit 115 having an interior chamber 120 for housing connector 110.
1. Two Socket Cable Connector Cable connector 105 incl~ldes two inslllated electrical con~ ct--r.s 125, two conductive sockets 130, two silicone tubes 135, a rigid inner enr~ing shell 140, and an elastic outer enr~cing shell 145. When meflir.~l connector ~L~dLuS 100 iS used as a defihrillator electrode ~ connector a~p~dLus, çlectri(~ l conductors 125 connect to two electrode pads (not shown). In addition, as shown in Figure 1, one end of each electrjc~l conductor 125 connects to one of the two conductive sockets 130. Specifically, each conductive socket 130 is crimpe.-l onto the SIJBSTITUlE SHEET (RULE 26) - inner conductive wire of one of the two electrical conductors 125, in order to establish an elPctrir~l connection bc;lweell the socket and the electrical conductor.
Moreover, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, each socket is then surrounded by a silicone tube 135. This silicone ~nr~cing provides a co~ ,ssible cushion to allow the socket to 5 expand over the mating portion, when the connector cable couples to the housed C..lln~
In turn, silicone tubes 135, sockets 130, and the connector end of the electrical conductors are .onr~eed in rigid çnr~cing shell 140.
This shell is a non-conductive polymer shell (such as a nylon or polyester shell) that is injection molded around the tubes, sockets, and conductors. This shell has three encasing 10 polliollslso~lss~ and 160, and one :iU~)OlLillg portion 165. As further shown in Figures 1 and S, the first enr~ g portion is molded around the c- nnect-~r end of elrctrit~l cr~n~ C~r~re 125 and the rrimred end of sockets 130. Each of the other two çnC~eing portions encases a socket and its cc.llesp.>llding eilico}l~ tube. The three ençacing portions ineul~te the two conductive paths (each of which is formed by an electrical conductor and a socket) from each 1~ other and from a user.
As further shown in Figure 1, rigid çnr~eing shell 140 also inrh~ s supporting portion 165, which extends downwardly from the second and third Pnr~ein~ portions. This ~u~ ling portion serves as a rigid support for the center of elastic enc~eing shell 145, which is molded around the rigid encasing shell 140. Elastic shell 145 has three enr~eing portions 20 170, 17S, and 180, a flange 185, and a channel 190. The elastic shell's first çnr~eing portion 170 surrounds first encasing portion 150 of rigid shell 140. As shown in Figure 1, rnr~Sing portion 170 has inward bends 195 for enabling a user to grip and hold cable connector 105.
In addition, elastic shell 145 includes second and third enr~eing portions 175 and 180, which respectively surround second and third çnraeing portions 155 and 160. Moreover, as 2s shown in Figure~e 1, 2, and 5, second and third ~nr~eing portions 175 and 180 extend d Jwllw;~lly below second and third enr~eing portions 155 and 160 to define two chambers 200. Each of these charnbers is axially aligned with one socket and its corresponding silicone tube, so that, when the cable connector is inserted into the interior chamber of the housing unit, a pin projects through the chamber to reach its colles~ollding socket.

SUB~TUTE SHEET (RllLE 263 CA 02238340 1998-0~-20 W O 97/19494 PCT~US96/18687 Furthermore, rh~nnl l 190 is defined on the front side of elastic shell 145 between second çnr.slcing portion 175 and third enc~cin~ portion 180. This channel (which is supported by ~.u~pulLillg portion 165) ~lcvellk. the second and third enrA~in~ portions 175 and 180 from loosely h~n~ing offthe end of second and third çnrzi~in~ portions 155 and 160. In 5 addition, as further ~ cussed below, a light pipe housed in housing unit 115 slides on this channel when cable connector 105 is inserted into the interior chamber of the housing unit.
Elastic shell 145 further inrl~ s flange 185 between first e tc:~ing portion 170 and second and third çnr~ing portions 175 and 180. As shown in Figure 2, on the front side of elastic shell 145, flange 185 has a protruding semi-circular element 205. This rlrmrnt, along 0 with the portion of the flange that is adjacent to it, covers a light pipe housed in housing unit 115, when cable connector 105 is inserted into the interior chamber of the housing unit.
In one embodiment of the invention, elastic shell 145 is a non-conductive thermoplastic elastomer, whose çl~:ticity iS belweell 40 to 90 dulolllelel~. on the Shore A
scale. This elasticitv hl~ .vGs the durability of cable connector 105. In addition, the elastic 5 nature of the walls of chambers 200 f~rilit~tes the removal of t;llvh~ n.l~l.l;.l residue from these chambers.
Finally, since elastic shell 145 is molded onto rigid shell 140, flexible plastic wiping rings can be e~ily produced in each chamber 200, during the mokling Figure 2A sets forth one embodiment of these wiping rings 210. Each ring, in turn, provides a wiping action which cleans the surrounding in~ ting column of the pin that projects through the ring's chamber, when the cable connector is inserted into the interior ch~llbel.
- 2. The Hon~in~ Unit and Housed Pin C~ c~t~, ~
Mç-lic~l conne~;~or d~lp~dlUS 100 also includes a housing unit 115 that houses, in an interior ch~llbel 120, a housed connector 110. As shown in Figures 1 and 5, housed connector 110 inr,hld~s two conductive pins 215, which extend vertically upwards from the bottom end of the interior chamber. The housed connector also includes two in~nl~ting columns 235, each of which surrounds a pin so as to leave only a portion of the pin exposed.
Housing unit 115 also has two a~eltu,~s that extend between interior chamber 120 and the exterior of the housing unit. First aperture 220 is formed on the top side of housing unit SUSSTlTllTE SHEET (RULE 26) W O 97/19494 PCTnUS96/18687 115. Through this a~ellure, eable conneetor 105 is inserted into the interior chamber to couple the sockets and the pins.
Seeond a~ tUl~ 225, on the other hand, is formed on the lower baek side of the housing unit. As shown in Figure 3, this seeond a~e,~ulc serves as an outlet fors e,lvi,..~ l residue in the interior cha,llber. Specifiç~lly, when the cable eonnector is inserted through the first apeltule, c;llvilu~ t~l residue is forced out of the interior ch~mher through this seeond outlet, because of the depression force created by the insertion of the cable eonnector.
In addition, the e~ tenre of these two ~eltur~s f~ilit~tPs the clP~ning of the interior 10 chamber. In particular, this additional a~tult; allows an easy access for c~le~ning swabs, and provides an outlet for fl~l~hing fluids used during routine cl~nin~ and m~inten~n~e operations. The two ~e,lu,~s are arranged such that liquids cannot açc~m~ t~ in the housing unit. In other words".l~pe~ re of the oriPnt~tiQn of the housing unit, liquids (such as blood, vomit, rain, etc.) may drain out of the interior ~ el through one of the outlets.
On its front side, hou~ing unit 115 in~ullPc a light pipe 230, which extends vertically upward from the bottom end of the interior chamber. An LED is embedded in this light pipe.
This LED is used to direct the opeldtc)l to insert the cable connector into the interior chamber, during the operation of the mPrli~ l device (e.g., the defibrillator) to which mP-lic~l connector d~lJdlaluS 100 is att~hp~1 The operator's attention may be directed to the light at the a~,u~liate time by other displays on the mP~ l device and/or by voice pl.)~ from the device. The light may also blink or flash to attract the operator's attention.
- As mP~t~ PA before, the semi-circular, light covering portion 205 of flange 185 covers this light pipe, when pins 215 enter sockets 130. In other words, the LED and its cc,l~e~ollding pipe are also used to inform an operator that an electrical connection has been established between pins 215 and sockets 130. When ~rup~,~ly inserted, light covering portion 205 fully obscures the top of the light pipe to signal the c- mpleti~)n of the connector insertion to the operator.
As shown in Figures 1, 5, and 6, the inner recess of interior chamber 120 and the outer elastic shell of cable connector 105 are molded in a complem.~.nt~ry fashion. In particular, as shown in Figure 1, the bends on the corners of the front side of interior charmber 120 provide 8U8STITUl~ SH~ET (RULE 26~

W O 97/19494 PCT~US96/18687 _ t~,vo çh~nn~l~ for ~7u~polLillg the curved front side of en~ ing portions 175 and 180. In addition, channel 190 of cable connector 105 provides a c~mrlemPnt:lry surface to the cylintlrir~l outer surface of light pipe 230. Also, the b~ck~i-le of both outer elastic shell 145 and interior chamber 120 are flat.
s In one embodiment of the invention, housing unit 115 is part of (i.e., is enr~e-1 in) a mP~ 1 device. In this embodiment of the invention, conductors pass through the bottom of this housing unit to conn~ct each housed conductive pin 215 to a power source of the medical device. In a more specific embodiment of the invention, housing unit 115 is part of (i.e., is e.n~ced in) a defibrillator. Some ex~mI les of such a defibrillator are disclosed in: United ~o States Patent Application entitled "Defihrill~tor With Self-Test Features," filed on May 10, 1994, and having the serial number 08/240,272; and United States Patent Application entitled "Electrotherapy Method and Apparatus," filed on April 4, 1994, and having the serial number 08/227,553. In this embodiment of the invention, conductors pass through the housing unit to connect housed conductive pins 215 to the power source of the ~l~f1hrill~tor.
B. COUPLING RINGEMBODIMENT
Figure~, 7-11 set forth another embodiment of the invention, which can be used as an electrode connector a~l~alus for all types of defibrillators. As shown in Figure 7, medical connector a~uaLus 300 inrlllfles (1) a cable connector 305 having two conductive rings, (2) a housed connector 310 having two conductive rings for ~lectri~lly coupling to the two rings of the cable connector, and ~3) a housing unit 315 having an interior chamber 320 for housing connector 310.
- 1. Sin~le Column Cable Co - tcr Figure 8 sets forth one embodiment of cable connector 305. This cable connector is configured to have an exterior surface that is compl~ m~nt~ry to the inner recess of interior cha.~ er 320 of housing unit 315, so that, when this cable connector is inserted in the interior chamber, its two conductive rings electrically couple to the two conductive rings of the housed connector. As shown in Figure 8, this c~ nn~c~cr incllldes two in~ t~{l electric~l conductors 325, two conductive rings 330, a top in~ ting member 335, a middle in~ tin~ member 340, a bottom in~ ting member 345, and a wiping member 350.

~iUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26 W O 97/19494 PCT~US96/18687 When medical connector ay~dLus 300 is used as a ~1rfihri~ tor electrode connector app~r~hl~, elecSrir~l conflurt r~ 325 connPct to two electrode pads (not shown). In s~ ion, as shown in Figure 8, one end of each electrical conductor 325 connects to one of the two conductive rings 330. For ex~mple, the inner conductive wires of rlectri~l con~luctc)rs 325 S are soldered to conductive rings 330, in order to establish an electrical collne~iLion between the rings and the elrctrir~l con-luctr,r~.
As further shown in Figure 8, conductive rings 330 then slide on hollow hubs 355 and 360, which extend from both ends of middle in~ ting member 340. This hollow middle mPmher also includes hollow hub 365, which extends vertically from the top end of middle 10 in~ ting m~mhlrr 340. Hub 365 is conr~ntri~ with hub 355, but has a smalIer diameter than this hub. Moreover, hub 365 is inserted in the hollow bottom end of top inc~ ting member 335 in order to couple the top and middle members.
FullT~ re, middle incnl~ting member 340 connects to lower in~ ting member 345 by inserting plug 370 of the lower memhçr into the cavity at the center of hub 360. Lower lS incnl~ting member 345 also connects to wiping lllembe~ 350 by inserting post 375 of the lower lllt;lll~el into an open end of wiping member 350. The open end of wiping member 350 is made of a resilient m~trri:~l that (13 allows this end to expand when head 380 of inserting post 375 enters the cavity at the wiping ll~lllbe~l's center, and then (2) causes this end to contract towards neck 385 of inserting post 375 to prevent head 380 from exiting the cavity.
The wiping member provides a wiping action which cleans interior ch~mher 320, and thereby cleans housed connector 310, when the cable cnnn~ctr,r is inserted into the interior chamber. In addition, each of the in~ ting lllelllbels 335, 340, and 345 is made of a p}astic, such as thermoplastic polyester. These three in~ ting portions insulate the two conductive paths, each of which is formed by an electrical con~ rtor 325 and a conductive ring 330. For 2s insulation purposes, in~nl~tin~ m-omh--r 340 is half an inch long, in one embodiment of the invention.
2. The Hon~in~ Unit and Housed Rin~ Connectors Medical connector ~yi)aldLus 300 also inrllltl~s a housing unit 315 that houses, in an interior chamber 320, a housed connector 310. As shown in Figures 7 and 9, housed 30 connector 310 includes (1) two conductive rings 390, which are individually housed in two SUBSTIT~ -~HEET ~RULE ~6) CA 02238340 1998-0~-20 separated, inclllting plates, so that only the inner portion of eaeh ring is exposed in interior chamber 320, and (2) two resilient contact members 445 coupled to the interior sllrfA~çs of rings 390.
More specifically, a. shown in Figures 7 and 9, housing unit 315 in(l~l~les fiveinclllAting plates 395, 400, 405, 410, 415, two coupling pins 420, two conductive rings 390, and two resilient contact ~ 445. In addition, eaeh inclllAfing plate has three apertures 425, 430, and 435. As set forth in Figure 9, coupling pins 420 are inserted through all apertures 425 and 430, in order to connect all five inclllAtinp plates in the manner shown in Figures 9 and 10. In one embodiment of the invention, the inclllAting plates are made of a 0 thermoplastic mAteriAl, such as polyester or polycarbonate.
By stArking all five inclllAting plates, their ~ 1LU1GS 435 collectively form the housing unit's interior chamber 320, into which single column cable connector 305 is inserted. In other words, d~JelLUl'~S 435 of the first and fifth insulating plates 395 and 415 serve as two ~.,,Lures that extend between interior chamber 320 and the exterior of the housing unit.
In turn, cable connector 305 is inserted into the interior chamber through aperture 435 of first inclllAtin~ plate 395, in order to electrically couple the conductive rings. Aperture 435 of the fifth inclllAting plate 415, on the other hand, serves as an outlet for envilull.l.entAl residue from the interior ch~lll)er. SpeeifirAlly, when the cable connector is inserted through the top a~c.lulc 435, environmental residue is forced out of the interior chamber through this outlet, because of the depression force created by the insertion of the cable connector.
As mentioned before, the existence of two a~elLul~s also facilitates the elçAnin~ of the interior chamber. In particular, t_e additional aperture allows an easy access for cleaning swabs, and allows an outlet for fluching fluids used during routine çlçAning and mainLellallce operations. Furthermore, the two ~LlJelLul~s are arranged such that liquids cannot AccumlllAte 2s in the housing unit. In other words, irrespective of the ~)rientAtion of the housing unit, liquids (such as blood, vomit, rain, etc.) drain out of the interior chamber through one of the outlets.
As further shown in Figure 9, second and fourth inclllAting plates 400 and 410 house the two conductive rings 390. These two conductive rings are insulated (1) from each other by third inclllAfing plate 405, and (2) from the envirolll~ lL outside of interior chamber 320 (e.g., from an operator or a patient) by first and fifth inclllAting plates 395 and 415. For SU~STITUTE SHEET ~RULE ~

CA 02238340 1998-0~-20 WO 97/19494 PCT~US96/18687 insulation purposes, the first, third, and fifth in~ tin~ plates are half an inch thick, in one embodiment of the invention.
Both the second and fourth in~lllzlting plates also have a chAnn~1 440 defined on tnem.
One conductor passes through each channel to connect on one of its ends to the exterior of a s conductive ring, and to connect on its other end to a power source of the medical device. As shown in Figures 7 and 9, each hollow ring 390 also connects at its interior surface to a conductive, resilient contact member 445. A resilient contact m~mhPr includes a number of individual resilient contact arcs 450 which are interconn~ct~-l One example of such a resilient contact m~m~er is sold under the brand name Louvertac bands by AMP, Inc.
As shown in Figure 11, in one embodiment of the invention, a resilient contact bel- 445 couples to the interior surface of hollow ring 3g0 by inserting the two ends of each of its resilient contact arc 450 between two lips 455 that are formed on the top and bottom surface of hollow ring 390. After these ends are inserted between tne two lips, the resilient nature of arcs 450 cause them to expand to engage the inner surface of the lips, which creates the fri~tion~l force n~ces~ry for coupling contact member 445 to hollow ring 390.
.nt contact . . .~. . .h~, ~ 445 establish the electril~l coupling between the two housed conductive rings 390 and the two cable connçct-r con~ ctive rings 330. Spe~ific~ y, when cable connector 305 is inserted into interior chamber 320, colme.;lor conductive rings 330 contact resilient contact n~ llbel~ 445. These resilient contact members then bend towards rings 390, and thereby create space for conductive rings 330. In addition, as these contact ~ hel~ are conductive, and as these members are conn~ct~-1 at their ends to housed rings 390, contact members 445 electrically couple the housed and connector rings.
In one embodiment of the invention, housing unit 315 is part of (i.e., is ~n- ~ed in) a m~ l device. In a more specific embodiment of the invention, housing unit 315 is part of 2s (i.e., is enr~ee~l in) a ri~ hr~ tl~r~ Some examples of such a d~fihrill:ltor are disclosed in:
United States Patent Application entitled "Defihrill~tc)r With Self-Test Features," filed on May 10, 1994, and having the serial number 08/240,272; and United States Patent Application entitled "Electrotherapy Method and Apparatus," filed on April 4, 1994, and having the serial number 08/227,553. In this embodiment of the invention, the conductors, that pass through channels 440 of second and fourth plates 400 and 410, connect housed conductive rings 390 to the power source of the defibrillator.

5lJBSTlTlJTE SHEET ~RULE 26) CA 02238340 1998-0~-20 W O 97/19494 PCT~US96/18687 While the invention has been (1esçrihed with reference to numerous specific details, one of ordi~ skill in the art would recognize that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For in~t~nce, although the invention has been described by reference to mating connectors that each have one or two s mating conductive portions, one of ordinary skill in t_e art would realize that an alLellldLive embodiment of the invention has mating connPctors that each have more than two mating conductive portions.
~ n addition, although mPrlic :~l c-mnPct- r a~L,~dLus 100 has been described to have an interior chamber housing both housed pins, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize o that an ~ltern~tive embodiment of this d~p~dlus has two interior chambers, with each housing one conductive pin. Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that an ~ltrrn~tive embodiment of mr~ 1 connrctor appaldLus 300 has a housed light source that is covered by a light covering porlion of cable connector 305, when its conductive rings electrir~lly couple with the housed conductive rings.
Also, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that, for one embodiment of mPrlir~l connector al,~dLus 300, the housing unit is not formed by stacking five discrete in~ ting plates, but rather is integrally molded as a single in~ tinp unit with the conductive rings and connPcting c- nd~lc tors. This integral unit is then mounted inside a m~flir~l device housing by using sealing means such as O-rings. Moreover, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that, ~ltho~lgh the invention has been described by reference to conductors 125 and 325 which are in~ tPd wires, ~ltPrn~tive embo-limP~t~ of the invention utilize ~ltern~tive conductors, such as flexible circuits. Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art wouid understand that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.

SlJBSTlTVTE SltEET (Rl:ILE 26

Claims (10)

What is claimed:
1. A medical connector apparatus comprising a housing unit (115) having an interior chamber (120), a cylindrical surface (230) extending into the interior chamber (120), two housed electrical connectors (110), a first aperture (220) for receiving a cable connector and a second aperture (225) providing an outlet for environmental residue within the interior chamber (120) when a cable connector is inserted into the first aperture (220) to make an electrical connection with the housing unit (115).
2. The medical connector apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cable connector (105) inserted into the first aperture (220) of the housing unit (115), the cable connector (105) comprising two electrical conductors (125) electrically connected to the housed electrical connectors (110).
3. The medical connector apparatus of claim 2 wherein the cable connector (105) further comprises a conductive socket (130) electrically connected to each of the two electrical conductors (125) and an expandable tube (135) surrounding each conductive socket (130), the expandable tubes (135) expanding when the sockets (130) make electrical connection with the housed electrical connectors (110).
4. The medical connector apparatus of claim 2 wherein said the cable connector (105) further comprises a wiping portion (210) adapted to providing a wiping action to the housed electrical connectors (110).
5. The medical connector apparatus of claim 2 wherein the cable connector (105) further comprises a channel (190) formed in the exterior of cable connector (105), the channel (190) adapted to slide over and surround cylindrical surface (230) of the housing unit (115) when the cable connector (105) is inserted into the housing unit (115).
6. The medical connector apparatus of claim 2 wherein the cable connector (105) further comprises a light covering portion (205) adapted to cover a surrounded by cylindrical surface (230) of housing unit (215) when the cable connector (105) is inserted into housing unit (215).
7. A cable connector (105) comprising:

two electrical conductors (125) electrically connected to two sockets (130) within a shell (140, 145); and a channel (190) formed in the shell (140, 145) adapted to slide over and surround a cylindrical surface of a housing unit into which the cable connector (105) is inserted to make electrical contact between the cable connector (105) and the housing unit.
8. The cable connector of claim 7 further comprising a conductive socket (130) electrically connected to each of the two electrical conductors (125) and an expandable tube (135) surrounding each conductive socket (130).
9. The cable connector of claim 7 further comprising a wiping portion (210) adapted to providing a wiping action to electrical connectors of a housing unit into which the cable connector (105) is inserted to make electrical contact between the cable connector (105) and the housing unit.
10. The cable connector of claim 9 further comprising a light covering portion (205) extending over the channel (190) and adapted to cover a light disposed within the channel (190) when the cable connector (105) is inserted in a housing unit to make electrical contact between the cable connector (105) and the housing unit.
CA 2238340 1995-11-21 1996-11-18 Medical connector apparatus Abandoned CA2238340A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/561,527 1995-11-21
US08/561,527 US5967817A (en) 1995-11-21 1995-11-21 Medical connector apparatus
PCT/US1996/018687 WO1997019494A1 (en) 1995-11-21 1996-11-18 Medical connector apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2238340A1 true CA2238340A1 (en) 1997-05-29

Family

ID=29406100

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2238340 Abandoned CA2238340A1 (en) 1995-11-21 1996-11-18 Medical connector apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2238340A1 (en)

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6048218A (en) Medical connector apparatus
US10814136B2 (en) Toolless connector for latching stimulation leads and methods of making and using
US6350160B1 (en) Medical connector system and method of use
US10905871B2 (en) Lead assemblies with arrangements to confirm alignment between terminals and contacts
US20050118887A1 (en) Implantable modular, multi-channel connector system for nerve signal sensing and electrical stimulation applications
US10307602B2 (en) Threaded connector assembly and methods of making and using the same
US8897876B2 (en) Systems and methods for making and using connectors for electrical stimulation systems
US10335607B2 (en) Implantable optical stimulation lead and methods of making and using
US8527054B2 (en) Implantable medical device connector
US5252090A (en) Self-locking implantable stimulating lead connector
US6198969B1 (en) Implantable connector for multi-output neurostimulators
JP4751393B2 (en) Conductive pathway for medical electronic devices
CA2054375C (en) Connection arrangement for monitoring fetal heart rate
EP2611499A1 (en) Control module with a connector assembly retainer
CA2768467A1 (en) Multi-port modular connector for implantable electrical stimulation systems and methods of making and using
EP0040752A2 (en) Galvanically disconnectible connectors for energy and/or signal transmission
WO2009045809A2 (en) Connector assemblies and contacts for implantable medical electrical systems
EP2217325A1 (en) Connector assemblies for implantable medical electrical systems
EP0788196A2 (en) Plug socket
CA2249723A1 (en) Multi-contact electrical terminal for electrical receptacle assembly
EP0747999B1 (en) An electrical connector jack
EP0052879A1 (en) Bipolar coaxial connector with inner sealing grommet
CA2238340A1 (en) Medical connector apparatus
US6234816B1 (en) Medical connector apparatus
US6346014B1 (en) Medical connector system and method of use

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Dead